Lab Practical Guide: Skeletal System

Frontal bone

The single bone forming the forehead and the upper sockets of the eyes.

Parietal bone

Paired bones forming the upper sides and roof of the cranium.

Occipital bone

The bone forming the back and base of the skull.

Temporal bone

Paired bones forming the lower lateral sides and base of the skull around the ears.

Mandible

The lower jawbone (the largest and strongest bone of the face).

Maxilla

The upper jawbone formed by the fused maxillary bones.

Zygomatic bone

The cheekbones framing the outer eye sockets.

Mastoid process

The prominent bony projection of the temporal bone located just behind the ear.

Coronal suture

The joint running side-to-side that unites the frontal bone to the parietal bones.

Sagittal suture

The midline joint connecting the two parietal bones together.

Lambdoid suture

The arching joint at the back of the skull connecting the parietal bones to the occipital bone.

Foramen magnum

The large opening at the base of the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes from the brain.

Cervical vertebrae

The top 7 vertebrae of the neck region (C1-C7).

Thoracic vertebrae

The middle 12 vertebrae of the chest region (T1-T12) that articulate with the ribs.

Lumbar vertebrae

The lower 5 heavy weight-bearing vertebrae of the lower back (L1-L5).

Vertebral body

The thick, rounded anterior portion of a vertebra that supports body weight.

Spinous process

The sharp, posterior projection pointing backward from the vertebral arch.

Transverse process

The lateral projections extending out from the left and right sides of a vertebra.

Humerus

The long bone of the upper arm.

Humerus head

The smooth, rounded proximal end that articulates with the scapula.

Greater tubercle (humerus)

A prominent lateral projection near the head for muscle attachment.

Deltoid tuberosity

A rough, raised V-shaped surface on the shaft where the deltoid muscle attaches.

Olecranon fossa

A deep depression on the posterior side of the distal humerus that receives the ulna.

Trochlea

The spool-shaped articular surface on the medial distal humerus.

Capitulum

The smooth, rounded knob on the lateral distal humerus that articulates with the radius.

Radius

The lateral bone of the forearm (on the thumb side).

Radius head

The disc-shaped proximal end of the radius.

Radial tuberosity

A rough bump just below the head where the biceps tendon attaches.

Ulna

The medial bone of the forearm (on the pinky side).

Olecranon

The large proximal bony prominence forming the point of the elbow.

Trochlear notch

The large wrench-shaped curved grip that locks onto the humerus's trochlea.

Scapula

The shoulder blade.

Coracoid process

A hook-like projection on the upper anterior scapula.

Scapular spine

The prominent ridge crossing diagonally across the back of the scapula.

Glenoid cavity

The shallow socket that articulates with the head of the humerus.

Acromion

The bony tip of the shoulder that forms the highest point of the scapula.

Clavicle

The collarbone.

Acetabulum

The deep cup-like socket where the femur meets the pelvis.

Ilium

The large, flaring upper superior region of the hip bone.

Ischium

The lower-back portion of the pelvis (sit bone).

Ischial tuberosity

The thickened rough bony prominence you sit on.

Pubic bone

The anterior/lower-front section of the pelvic ring.

Obturator foramen

The large opening enclosed by pubic and ischial rami.

Iliac crest

The curved, thick upper margin of the ilium.

Femur

The thigh bone (the longest and strongest bone in the body).

Femoral head

The spherical ball that fits into the acetabulum.

Femoral neck

The narrow constriction connecting the head to the femoral shaft.

Greater and lesser trochanters

Large projections near the upper femoral shaft for powerful hip and thigh muscle attachments.

Femoral condyles

The smooth rounded knobs at the distal end of the femur that help form the knee joint.

Tibia

The larger, medial shin bone of the lower leg.

Tibial condyles

The flat upper surfaces of the tibia that articulate with the femur.

Tibial tuberosity

The prominent bump on the upper anterior shin where the patellar ligament attaches.

Medial malleolus

The inner ankle bone projection.

Fibula

The slender, lateral lower-leg bone parallel to the tibia.

Calcaneus

The heel bone.

Talus

The ankle bone that articulates directly with the tibia and fibula.

Metatarsal bones

The 5 long bones forming the midfoot/arch.

Phalanges (Foot)

The toe bones (proximal, middle, and distal).

Meniscus (Knee)

C-shaped pieces of tough fibrocartilage that sit between the femur and tibia to act as shock absorbers.

Patella

The kneecap (embedded within the quadriceps tendon).

Collateral ligaments (LCL and MCL)

Stabilizing bands on the outer and inner sides of the knee that prevent sideways motion.

Patellar ligament

The strong band connecting the patella down to the tibial tuberosity.

Elbow joint formation

Formed by the articulation between the Humerus, Radius, and Ulna.

Hip joint formation

Formed by the Acetabulum of the pelvis acting as the socket and the Head of the Femur acting as the ball.

Carpal bones

The 8 small wrist bones arranged in two rows.

Metacarpal bones

The 5 bones forming the palm of the hand.

Phalanges (Hand)

The finger bones (proximal, middle, and distal).